Author wrote:
Jane
If you or anyone else has an EU Parl ref/URL for this I would like to read
it.
As a horse owner I can cut the cost of vet supplied wormers by a third or
more by shopping around.
Thanks Mona
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=77707&;
command=displayContent&sourceNode=77259&contentPK=8253634
'SELL-OUT' OVER NEW DRUG RULES
09:00 – 24 December 2003
Peter Hall reports on European legislation that would change the status of
low-risk animal medicines available from farm merchants
Farmers could be burdened with new costs, following European Union proposals
to ban them from buying animal medicines and drugs over the counter.
The battle to retain the right for British farmers to buy low-risk veterinary
medicines, such as sheep dips, vaccines, and wormers, from agricultural
suppliers has suffered a major setback.
Euro-MPs voting in Strasbourg last week rejected a plan that would allow the
long-established practice to continue.
Laws from Europe will mean that in future all veterinary products regularly
on sale in agricultural stores will become "prescription-only medicines." This
is a move that has been strongly promoted by the EU Farms Commission for the
past two years, in a bid to harmonise all veterinary legislation throughout
Europe.
The British Government has been accused of selling out its own farmers over
the plan.
The National Farmers' Union reacted "with dismay" that the Government had
dropped its opposition to the plan at the last minute.
"The withdrawal of support from the UK Government has been very
disappointing. This runs counter to the spirit of the partnership approach put forward in
the Government's own Animal Health and Welfare Strategy," said NFU deputy
president, Tim Bennett.
There is concern among agricultural merchants that they will lose a lucrative
additional part of their business, and that the monopoly caused by allowing
only qualified vets to dispense these medications would mean increases in
prices for the consumer.
South West Conservative MEP, Neil Parish, commented: "We are seeing yet more
costs for our farmers, and another blow for rural businesses.
"Creating another monopoly of supply cannot be good for prices. What we shall
undoubtedly see is less choice, higher costs and more red tape for both
farmers and horse owners in the United Kingdom."
Mr Parish, who farms in Somerset, added: "This is yet another example of our
Government sitting around the negotiating table and selling out our farmers
for the great European compromise. Our farmers have a right to expect British
ministers to be fighting their corner – but this last-minute about-face shows
that this is obviously expecting too much."
Both farm organisations and health product distributors have argued the
proposed legislation was unnecessary for low-risk products – known as "pharmacy and
merchants' list" (or PML) products – and could backfire if it led to reduced
choice and higher prices.
Andrew Cox, chief executive of Cornwall Farmers Ltd, commented: "We believe
there is tremendous value in the current system as it ensures continuity of
supply to our farmers. We are disappointed the European vote went the way it did.
"But we stress to the farming community that for the next two years, and
probably after that, we shall be trading as usual in these medications."
The National Office of Animal Health, which represents the animal health
industry, commented that while it was very disappointed at the British
Government's stance, all was not lost.
"The Government has pledged that it will still allow the supply of these
products by registered merchants within the context of the Marsh Report, which
reviewed UK distribution systems in 2001," said NOAH chief executive Phil
Sketchley. "Farmers will still require a prescription, but this need not necessarily
be obtained from a vet."
The Marsh Report recommended the creation of a "Category C" for medicines
deemed to need prescriptions.
"This would allow AMTRA-qualified people to continue to supply essential
preventative health medicines through registered merchants' premises," Mr
Sketchley added. "It is vital this recommendation is implemented to maintain the
efficient distribution of these important disease-preventing medicines."
There are 3,200 people who currently hold the recognised professional
qualification from AMTRA – the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority –
allowing them to authorise the sale of animal medicines from registered premises.
Of these 2,200 work for registered agricultural merchants and 1,000 for
registered saddlers.